Two activists who participated in a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza will remain in Israeli custody until May 10 following a court ruling that extended their detention by six additional days.
Spanish citizen Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila were taken into custody by Israeli forces last Wednesday after their flotilla was stopped in international waters near Greece. While over 100 other pro-Palestinian participants were transported to the Greek island of Crete, these two men were brought to Israel.
The Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court had originally scheduled their release for Tuesday, but Judge Yaniv Ben-Haroush granted the extension after hearing arguments from both sides. “I am convinced that there is reasonable suspicion,” the judge stated when announcing his decision.
Both men were participants in the second Global Sumud Flotilla, which departed from Barcelona on April 12 with the goal of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenging Israel’s naval blockade of the territory.
Israeli authorities have filed serious charges against the pair, including allegations of assisting enemy forces, communicating with foreign agents and terrorist groups, engaging in prohibited terrorist-related activities, and supplying resources to terrorist organizations.
Defense attorneys from the human rights organization Adalah challenged the detention during the hearing, arguing that the accusations lack merit and that no legal basis exists for keeping the men in custody. The lawyers emphasized that formal charges have not yet been filed and that the detention serves only to continue interrogations.
Adalah has announced plans to appeal the court’s decision and will push for the immediate and unconditional freedom of both activists. The organization has also alleged that the men have suffered torture while in custody, which Israeli officials have denied.
Abu Keshek’s spouse, Sally Issa, spoke to reporters Tuesday about her inability to communicate directly with her husband since his arrest. “They’ve told us that he’s in good condition. He’s hunger striking,” Issa explained. “But he’s okay. He suffered from torture on the boat when he was attacked by the Israelis.”
Israel’s foreign ministry has maintained that both Abu Keshek and Avila have connections to the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, characterizing the flotilla as “another provocation designed to divert attention from Hamas’ refusal to disarm.”
A ministry representative rejected what they called “false and baseless claims” regarding torture allegations. “Following violent physical obstruction by Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila against Israeli staff members, staff were compelled to act in order to stop these actions. All measures taken were in accordance with the law,” the spokesperson stated.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has called for Abu Keshek’s immediate freedom, stating that no evidence exists connecting him to Hamas. Albares revealed that he personally informed his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, that the activists’ detention violates international law since Israel lacks authority in international waters.
Avila’s partner, Lara Souza, reported that her husband has been refusing food for six days and is under medical supervision. “He’s better from the injuries, but he is very weak, and the embassy is very worried about this,” she said.
In response to the hunger strikes, the court has directed Israel’s Prison Service to closely monitor both detainees’ health conditions.
